But that is what Hardin County's Faith Welch has been called upon to do during the 2017-18 season with the graduation of Ashley Channell, who is now at Louisiana Tech.

She has excelled at that task and become the leader needed to keep the team playing at a high level.

"It was pretty hard because she is a really good bowler, and it has been a competition between us," Welch said. "I was happy to take over the leadership role because I love the team."

Being a leader is not something that comes easy for Welch, but she knew that the younger players looked up to her.

"It was not natural to me like it was to Ashley because that is just how she is," Welch said. "But I don't think I had to work for it because I like to help whoever needs help and keep everybody up."

Coming into the season, Hardin County was the four-time defending state champion in bowling. Welch kept the program going as she finished third in the state in individual competition, and she led the team to a fifth-straight state championship with a 23-4 win over Creek Wood on Saturday.

"She has shown more determination and more practice, and she has led by the way that she practices," Hardin County girls bowling coach Jennifer Channell said. "Just by encouraging everybody to get in there and work and spare shooting, she kept everybody focused on being the best they could be.

"I think the younger starters have seen what Faith has done, and they are working to keep the tradition going."

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Hardin County's Faith Welch (second from left on bottom row) poses with all of the Mr. and Miss Bowling finalists at the Smyrna Town Center on Jan. 18.(Photo: MICHAEL ODOM/The Jackson Sun)

Channell wasn't the only senior that graduated last season, so Welch had to develop that new group into starters.

"At first, I thought it would be harder to stay on top, but with who we have and who came up, it's really good to have who we had. They come into practice, and they really want to win. It is a good team to be with, and we all get along."

Along with the accolades at state, Welch was also named the Tennessee Prep Bowlers Association Miss Bowler for Division after finishing as a finalist last year. This is the third straight year that a Hardin County bowler was named Miss Bowler.

"It is an honor to be picked as a finalist," Welch said. "I started bowling in the third grade, and I feel all of my hard work has paid off."

Welch didn't take much time off over the summer as she worked to improve her game to try and push the Lady Tigers to continue to be one of the teams to beat in the state.

"I went to a lot of club tournaments in Junior Gold, and I practiced almost every day of the week," Welch said. "I went to Las Vegas to try out for Team USA and bowled in Junior Gold Nationals."

Welch entered the individual state tournament with the top average in the state as she bowled a 211.05 this season.

"It was a goal this year," Welch said. "I really wanted to at the top this year, and I worked at that. I am glad I ended where I did. There are so many good girls in the individual state tournament, and they are the same ones I see at tournaments."

Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.